FSC100 EXAM – QUESTIONS AND PRECISE SOLUTIONS
Methods of Identification after Death Right Ans - Visual
Photographic
Clothing and Personal Effects
Fingerprinting
Dental Records
DNA
What is a FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST? Right Ans - A MEDICAL DOCTOR with
specialist certification in ANATOMICAL PATHOLOGY and additional
training in FORENSIC PATHOLOGY. Has knowledge of the effects of DISEASE
AND INJURY
on the body in the context of the LAW.
CATEGORY A PATHOLOGIST (FORENSIC PATHOLOGISTS): Right Ans - Can
perform autopsies on ALL types of medicolegal cases including adults and
paediatric cases.
CATEGORY B PATHOLOGISTS (ANATOMICAL PATHOLOGISTS) Right Ans -
Can perform autopsies on NON-HOMICIDE/NON-CRIMINALLY SUSPICIOUS
ADULT cases.
CATEGORY C PATHOLOGISTS (PEDIATRIC PATHOLOGISTS) Right Ans -
Can perform autopsies on NON-HOMICIDE/NON-CRIMINALLY SUSPICIOUS
PEDIATRIC cases
When does a FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST get involved? Right Ans - 1. When
the coroner is unable to satisfactorily answer ANY of the five questions
2. When there is the possibility of involvement of the CRIMINAL JUSTICE
system
Two main reasons PATHOLOGIST performs an autopsy: Right Ans -
Discovery
Documentation
CAUSE of death: Right Ans - The actual trauma, event, disease or illness
that triggers the physiological processes resulting in death.
, IMMEDIATE Right Ans - The disease, injury, or complication that directly
precedes death, and which is the ultimate consequence of the underlying
cause of death
UNDERLYING PROXIMATE Right Ans - The disease, or injury which
initiates the chain of events ultimately leading to the cessation of life
MECHANISM of death Right Ans - Defined as the PHYSIOLOGIC OR
FUNCTIONAL DERANGEMENT resulting in failure of one or more vital organs
MANNER of death: Right Ans - Accident
Suicide
Homicide
Natural
Undetermined
Pending Cause of Death: Toxicology Right Ans - in possible drug or alcohol-
related deaths
Pending Cause of Death: Histology Right Ans - microscopic examination
Pending Cause of Death: Medical Charts Right Ans - If there was a complex
medical component to the death
Pending Cause of Death: Police Investigation Right Ans - Scene information,
biochemical analysis, anthropologic examination, etc...
Medicolegal Autopsy Right Ans - Medical investigation on behalf of greater
society to determine how and why its citizens die
Performed under legislation of the Coroner's Act and NOT family consent
Once a coroner takes jurisdiction over a body, the family essentially has no
rights to the remains until the
body is released
Goals of Medicolegal Autopsy Right Ans - Determine the CAUSE OF DEATH
Determine the MECHANISM OF DEATH
Estimate the TIME OF DEATH and/or TIMING OF INJURIES
Determine the NATURE AND MECHANISM of the injuries
Methods of Identification after Death Right Ans - Visual
Photographic
Clothing and Personal Effects
Fingerprinting
Dental Records
DNA
What is a FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST? Right Ans - A MEDICAL DOCTOR with
specialist certification in ANATOMICAL PATHOLOGY and additional
training in FORENSIC PATHOLOGY. Has knowledge of the effects of DISEASE
AND INJURY
on the body in the context of the LAW.
CATEGORY A PATHOLOGIST (FORENSIC PATHOLOGISTS): Right Ans - Can
perform autopsies on ALL types of medicolegal cases including adults and
paediatric cases.
CATEGORY B PATHOLOGISTS (ANATOMICAL PATHOLOGISTS) Right Ans -
Can perform autopsies on NON-HOMICIDE/NON-CRIMINALLY SUSPICIOUS
ADULT cases.
CATEGORY C PATHOLOGISTS (PEDIATRIC PATHOLOGISTS) Right Ans -
Can perform autopsies on NON-HOMICIDE/NON-CRIMINALLY SUSPICIOUS
PEDIATRIC cases
When does a FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST get involved? Right Ans - 1. When
the coroner is unable to satisfactorily answer ANY of the five questions
2. When there is the possibility of involvement of the CRIMINAL JUSTICE
system
Two main reasons PATHOLOGIST performs an autopsy: Right Ans -
Discovery
Documentation
CAUSE of death: Right Ans - The actual trauma, event, disease or illness
that triggers the physiological processes resulting in death.
, IMMEDIATE Right Ans - The disease, injury, or complication that directly
precedes death, and which is the ultimate consequence of the underlying
cause of death
UNDERLYING PROXIMATE Right Ans - The disease, or injury which
initiates the chain of events ultimately leading to the cessation of life
MECHANISM of death Right Ans - Defined as the PHYSIOLOGIC OR
FUNCTIONAL DERANGEMENT resulting in failure of one or more vital organs
MANNER of death: Right Ans - Accident
Suicide
Homicide
Natural
Undetermined
Pending Cause of Death: Toxicology Right Ans - in possible drug or alcohol-
related deaths
Pending Cause of Death: Histology Right Ans - microscopic examination
Pending Cause of Death: Medical Charts Right Ans - If there was a complex
medical component to the death
Pending Cause of Death: Police Investigation Right Ans - Scene information,
biochemical analysis, anthropologic examination, etc...
Medicolegal Autopsy Right Ans - Medical investigation on behalf of greater
society to determine how and why its citizens die
Performed under legislation of the Coroner's Act and NOT family consent
Once a coroner takes jurisdiction over a body, the family essentially has no
rights to the remains until the
body is released
Goals of Medicolegal Autopsy Right Ans - Determine the CAUSE OF DEATH
Determine the MECHANISM OF DEATH
Estimate the TIME OF DEATH and/or TIMING OF INJURIES
Determine the NATURE AND MECHANISM of the injuries
